President of the Foundation of Concerned Arts Professionals (FOCAP), Kojo Preko Dankwa, has criticised the Minister responsible for Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts over what he describes as the lack of progress and communication on stalled theatre and amphitheatre projects across Ghana.

Speaking on GBC Spectacle with host Hegar Owusu, Kojo Preko Dankwa said the creative arts industry continues to suffer because critical infrastructure promised to support the sector has been left abandoned.

According to him, while government continues to announce plans to build new theatres and amphitheatres, existing projects initiated under the previous NPP administration have seen little or no progress.

“They can promise us one theatre in Kumasi, they can promise us amphitheatres and all those things, but for them to materialise is another matter,” he said.

The FOCAP President expressed disappointment in the current minister, stating that stakeholders have not received any updates regarding the status of theatre and amphitheatre projects already under construction.

“I am seriously disappointed in the minister. We are not getting any updates when it comes to the amphitheatres and theatre projects that the previous government started. We have not been given any information on what is happening to them,” he stated.

Kojo Preko Dankwa further alleged that some of the abandoned project sites are deteriorating due to neglect.

“When you go there, weeds have taken over the sites and the iron rods are being stolen. The infrastructure is simply being left to waste,” he claimed.

He stressed that the creative arts industry cannot achieve meaningful growth without investment in performance venues and cultural infrastructure.

“We are always calling for infrastructure on the ground. We are also the same people asking for spaces where we can organise events and other creative activities, yet we are still not getting anything,” he lamented.

While acknowledging that the government has its own priorities, Kojo Preko Dankwa maintained that he remains disappointed with the handling of infrastructure development for the creative arts sector.

“So for me, I think government will do what it wants to do, but I am disappointed in the Tourism Minister,” he concluded.

His comments add to growing calls from stakeholders in Ghana’s creative arts industry for the completion of abandoned theatre and amphitheatre projects, arguing that modern performance venues are essential for promoting Ghanaian culture, creating employment and supporting the country’s entertainment industry.

The ShattaFest UK cancellation has sparked widespread debate, with event specialist and Vice President of the Foundation of Concerned Arts Professionals (FOCAP), Mel Kwesi Davis, insisting that the failure of the event should be blamed on planning shortcomings rather than the overwhelming turnout of fans.

In a detailed statement shared on his social media page, Davis argued that the unfortunate events surrounding ShattaFest UK should not be viewed as evidence that Ghana cannot organise major international events. Instead, he believes the incident highlights the urgent need for world-class event planning as Ghanaian entertainment continues to attract global audiences.

According to him, the huge patronage witnessed before the cancellation was clear proof that dancehall artiste Shatta Wale remains one of Ghana’s strongest cultural exports.

“The crowd didn’t fail the event. The planning did,” Davis stated.

He stressed that in business, demand is rarely the problem. Rather, the inability to prepare adequately for demand is what often leads to failure.

Popularity Became ShattaFest UK’s Greatest Challenge

Davis noted that although investigations and official reports will determine exactly what led to the cancellation, one fact is already evident—crowd management should never be treated as an afterthought when organising events expected to attract thousands of people.

Referring to reports that patrons were largely directed through a single entrance, he said organisers must critically assess such decisions.

According to him, relying on one entrance can create dangerous bottlenecks, leading to frustration, panic and safety concerns.

He compared crowd movement to flowing water, explaining that large groups will naturally seek the quickest available route.

“If you give thousands of people one narrow path, they will find it together. That is not poor behaviour—it is predictable human movement,” he explained, adding that effective event planning should always anticipate such scenarios.

Crowd Management Requires Professional Standards

The event specialist described crowd management as a professional discipline that demands careful preparation rather than a routine administrative requirement.

He listed several essential measures that organisers of large-scale events should adopt, including:

• Multiple entry and exit points
• Staggered admission procedures
• Clear directional signage
• Effective communication with patrons
• Properly trained stewards
• Comprehensive contingency plans
• Close collaboration with emergency services

According to Davis, these are not optional features reserved for international festivals but minimum standards for any event expected to host thousands of attendees.

He argued that the irony of the ShattaFest UK cancellation is that the event appeared to have been overwhelmed by its greatest strength—its popularity.

Ghana Must Support International Cultural Events

Beyond the organisers, Davis called on the Government of Ghana and relevant institutions to recognise overseas Ghanaian entertainment events as important national assets.

He argued that whenever thousands of people gather for Ghanaian cultural events abroad, the economic benefits extend far beyond the concert venue.

According to him, such events increase airline bookings, boost hotel occupancy, generate business for restaurants, transport operators and retailers, while also promoting Ghana’s tourism sector and increasing tax revenues.

He described these concerts as practical examples of cultural diplomacy, saying they project Ghana’s image globally in ways traditional advertising campaigns often cannot.

For this reason, he urged institutions including the Black Star Experience Secretariat, the Office of Diaspora Affairs, the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration, and the Ghana Tourism Authority to play more active roles in supporting international Ghanaian events.

Rather than taking over private event organisation, Davis believes these institutions should facilitate partnerships, provide access to international best practices, strengthen diaspora engagement and help organisers deliver productions that meet global standards.

Global Brands Need Global Event Standards

Davis concluded that as Ghanaian musicians continue to expand their international reach, event planning must evolve to match their growing influence.

He said success should no longer be measured only by ticket sales, packed venues or social media trends but also by the quality of execution, patron safety and the confidence international audiences have in Ghanaian productions.

According to him, the Shatta Movement has already demonstrated its ability to attract massive audiences.

“The crowds have already arrived. Now our planning must catch up,” he concluded.

Davis believes the ShattaFest UK cancellation should ultimately be remembered not simply as a cancelled concert but as a turning point for Ghana’s creative industry—one that underscores the need for global event management standards to match the international success of Ghanaian artistes.

Background

ShattaFest 2026, the annual music festival celebrating Ghanaian music and culture and headlined by dancehall superstar Shatta Wale, was cancelled after UK authorities reportedly intervened over safety and health concerns.

The highly anticipated event was scheduled for Saturday, August 1, 2026, at Copthall Playing Fields, Champions Way, London NW4 1PS, with thousands of fans expected to attend the festival.

However, patrons who arrived at the venue were informed that the event would not proceed following a decision involving UK police and safety officials

Hon. Joana Gyan Cudjoe is steadily establishing herself as one of Ghana’s most development-focused Members of Parliament, with her leadership bringing visible transformation to communities across the Amenfi Central Constituency in the Western Region.

Since taking office as the Member of Parliament for Amenfi Central, the National Democratic Congress (NDC) legislator has embarked on an aggressive development agenda aimed at improving healthcare delivery, expanding educational infrastructure, strengthening security and creating sustainable employment opportunities for residents.

Massive Investment in Healthcare

One of Hon. Joana Gyan Cudjoe’s key priorities has been improving access to quality healthcare, particularly in underserved communities.

She is overseeing the continuation of the Ankwaso Community-based Health Planning and Services (CHPS) Compound while simultaneously constructing new CHPS compounds at Sraha Ayiem, Ankasie, Jedua Kese, Adidaase and Hiawa.

To further improve maternal healthcare services, construction is progressing on a maternity block with a fully equipped theatre at Manso Amenfi.

In another intervention aimed at improving community healthcare, the MP donated GH¢39,000 towards completing the CHPS Compound at Manso Nkwanta No. 2, a project expected to enhance maternal and child healthcare services in the area.

Expanding Educational Infrastructure

Education remains another major pillar of Hon. Joana Gyan Cudjoe’s development agenda.

She is facilitating the completion of the Wuratrem and Ankasie District Assembly Primary Schools while constructing a six-unit classroom block for Kramokrom Primary School.

Additional educational projects include a three-unit classroom block at Bantoma, a kindergarten block at Agona Camp and a three-unit Junior High School block at Sompre.

Recognising the shortage of teachers in many rural schools, the MP has also employed 35 community teachers across 28 basic schools within the constituency.

The teachers receive monthly salaries ranging from GH¢800 to GH¢1,000, ensuring pupils in remote communities continue to receive quality education despite staffing challenges.

Strengthening Security and Boosting Local Economy

To improve safety within the constituency, Hon. Joana Gyan Cudjoe is funding the construction of police stations at Sraha Ayiem and Achichire, providing law enforcement agencies with improved facilities to enhance public security.

Economic empowerment has equally featured prominently in her development strategy.

She is spearheading the construction of a 24-hour economy market at Agona Amenfi alongside a modern market at Juabo to stimulate local commerce and create business opportunities for traders.

Through her block factory, the MP is also generating employment for many young people, reportedly spending approximately GH¢40,000 every week on workers’ wages.

National Recognition for Outstanding Leadership

The development initiatives of Hon. Joana Gyan Cudjoe have attracted national recognition.

She received the Most Impactful MP Award during the AFTAG Philanthropic Awards & Charity Night 2025 in acknowledgement of her contributions to community development, healthcare delivery, youth empowerment and women’s advancement.

The award citation praised her exceptional compassion, visionary leadership and commitment to delivering practical solutions to the needs of her constituents.

Apart from her political career, Hon. Gyan Cudjoe is widely recognised as Ghana’s only female gold exporter and serves as President of Golden Empire Legacy Limited, where she has built a successful business career.

Her victory in the 2024 parliamentary election, where she secured 26,345 votes, reflected the confidence constituents placed in her leadership—confidence she continues to repay through visible development projects.

Leadership Rooted in Compassion

Beyond infrastructure and development projects, Hon. Joana Gyan Cudjoe has earned admiration for her compassion and commitment to vulnerable people.

During a recent outreach programme organised in partnership with the KN Foundation at a correctional facility, she became emotional after interacting with young inmates and pledged to support initiatives that would improve their lives and offer them hope for the future.

Her empathy, coupled with her commitment to delivering meaningful development, continues to strengthen her relationship with the people she serves.

As the NDC advances its Reset Ghana agenda, Hon. Joana Gyan Cudjoe has consistently called for unity and collective effort to accelerate development across Amenfi Central.

With ongoing investments in healthcare, education, security and economic infrastructure, the MP continues to demonstrate that effective representation goes beyond political rhetoric—it is about delivering projects that directly improve the lives of ordinary people.

Shattafest UK Cancelled after organisers announced the difficult decision to call off the highly anticipated event following reports of a serious incident outside the concert venue.

In an official press statement released by the Shatta Movement Empire management, organisers said the cancellation was made with the safety and well-being of patrons as the highest priority.

According to the statement, reports of the incident prompted organisers to immediately cancel the event, stressing that no concert is more important than protecting the lives and safety of fans.

“It is with a very heavy heart that we address the unfortunate events surrounding Shattafest UK,” the statement read.

Management disclosed that several people were reportedly injured, while there were also allegations of fatalities. However, organisers noted that they are awaiting official confirmation from the relevant authorities before confirming the full details of what transpired.

The statement expressed heartfelt condolences and prayers for everyone affected, including victims, their families, friends, and all those impacted by the tragic incident.

The organisers described the development as heartbreaking, noting that Shatta Wale has always stood for bringing joy, hope and unforgettable experiences to his supporters through music.

According to management, what was intended to be a night of celebration unfortunately turned into a moment of pain, leaving the entire Shatta Movement family devastated.

The organisers also appealed to the public and members of the media to refrain from spreading unverified information while investigations continue.

They urged everyone to allow the appropriate authorities to conduct their work and encouraged the public to rely only on verified information until official findings are released.

Management further expressed appreciation to emergency responders, security personnel, medical teams, venue staff and every individual who acted swiftly to assist those affected during the emergency.

Special gratitude was also extended to fans who travelled from different parts of the United Kingdom and beyond to attend the event, thanking them for their patience, understanding and continued support despite the unfortunate circumstances.

The statement reaffirmed that Shatta Wale and the entire Shatta Movement Empire remain committed to cooperating fully with investigators, relevant authorities and event partners to establish exactly what happened.

In its closing remarks, management stressed that the focus is no longer on the concert but on the people whose lives have been affected.

“This is not the outcome anyone wished for. Today, our focus is not on a concert—it is on the people whose lives have been affected,” the statement said.

The organisers concluded by asking the public to keep the victims, their loved ones and everyone impacted in their prayers, while praying for comfort for grieving families, strength for those recovering and peace for the entire community.

Shattafest 2026, the annual music festival headlined by Ghanaian dancehall star Shatta Wale, has been cancelled after UK police reportedly halted the event over safety and health concerns.

The festival was scheduled to take place on Saturday, August 1, 2026, at Copthall Playing Fields, Champions Way, London NW4 1PS. However, attendees were informed that the event would not go ahead following police intervention.

Videos circulating on social media showed disappointed fans gathered outside the venue after the cancellation was announced. Some ticket holders demanded refunds, while others expressed frustration over the last-minute decision.

Footage from the venue also showed police officers dispersing crowds after the event was called off.

The cancellation has generated widespread discussion on social media, with many fans calling on the organisers to explain what led to the decision and provide information on refunds or a possible new date.

As of the time of publication, neither Shatta Wale nor the organisers of Shattafest 2026 had issued an official statement regarding the cancellation.